Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

  Our good friend Gary Lycan has snooped out some breaking news regarding Turner Classic Movies programming. Those great interviews Robert Osborne has with legendary stars will be downloadable as podcasts. The program is called Private Screenings,and the first one will soon be ready for the public at TCM.com and iTunes.

   According to Osborne, the episode featuring terrific character actor Angela Lansbury is the initial debut podcast. Gary was happy to hear that the ENTIRE interview will be there for your listening pleasure. You may not know – all programs are edited.

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY trailer

   I recently watched Lansbury sing and dance during a scene from The Harvey Girls, and when I was a teen, I fortunately caught her starring stage role in Gypsy. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I’m proud to say she was our 1996 SAG Life Achievement Award recipient.

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   One more thing… Happy Birthday to Laurie (my wife).   I love you very much!!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The Christmas shopping season is upon us. If you are like me, you probably hate going to the malls. And all those people….ugh!

   The best way to avoid the rush:  buy a copy (or two) of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History online, or by visiting the places that sells my book. Check the navigation bar where you might feel most comfortable to purchase the paperback. Of course, you can buy the book right here on this website. These three folks just did and look how thrilled they are!

   I know you have your Christmas list to fill, and I want to help. So let me remind you that Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills, The Granada Pavilion, Mr. B’s etc. are prime spots for you the find the perfect stocking stuffer.

   I hope you do. Happy Holidays!!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you like the look and feel of the Forgotten Hollywood website and blog, it is thanks to the hard work and development of Matthew Vandewouwer.  Matt is quite accomplished in his abilities.

   Now you can have the same quality work done in the development of a premiere website for your business or service. Matthew Vandewouwer is now offering you the creation of a site with full setup and service….start to finish. In addition, he will provide a six month service contract. All for just $500.

   I can attest his work is terrific. You will receive great results. I hope you will give Matthew’s expertise a try. He can be reached at mvandew@gmail.com.

   Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to wish my friends to this blog and family a safe and wonderful “Happy Holiday.”

   I allude to this fine tradition in my book Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. It was the Pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock who celebrated their success in establishing a community in the New World with the Natives indigenous to the area. It was and is considered a harvest festival.

   Abraham Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a US holiday during his first term as President.

   Remember that football and food make for a great way to spend the holiday, but that family is still the main reason we give thanks and praise for the lives we live the rest of the year.

   So, thank you to my wife Laurie; my dad Manny; my mom Gloria; my sister Virginia; my brothers-in-law Roland, Mark, Maxime, and Eric; my sister-in-law Heather; my nephew Matthew; and the rest of my extended family for being there for me. I am there for you.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here>

   The History Channel is presenting WW II in HD. It’s a ten part series with seldom seen or recently found footage in color that chronicles history the way it was actually viewed from those who lived it during 1941-1945.

   Black and white footage shot overseas was inexpensive, which was the way it was shown back in the states through newspaper photos and newsreels. For those of us who were born after, we also learned about the war in black and white from school books and at local libraries. This is all we knew…

   This documentary in color is stark, grim,  inspiring, and extraordinarily realistic from the point of view of the soldier, the correspondent, and our enemies during the two campaigns on both oceans and over four continents. I actually feel like I am in battle with our soldiers by the poignant stories recalled. I understand why war itself is never noble, but at times a necessary evil that must be fought. I salute our troops (past and present) for defending our country and experiencing “Hell on Earth.”

   I’ve been riveted to my television all week. Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History presents seldom told stories of the Allied fight throughout the book; my tribute to our men in uniform. Freedom must be protected…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P here…

   I’m happy to report that the quaint gift shop at The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills is reporting healthy sales of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. Gary Browning, Visitor Services Manager, is reporting that the store has sold 25% of their inventory in just two months there! Autographed copies are just the ticket as the Holidays approach.

   The Paley Center For Media is located 465 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. My book is one of their first forays into Hollywood history for the center. Their television and radio library is quite extensive. And they have great special events.  Check out the Paley Center link in the Business Friends section of my navigation bar for more information.

   I’m really thrilled about this wonderful news!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History has a great friend in the Orange County Register radio reporter Gary Lycan. He has suggested a few websites and bookstores to visit to get the word out on the book. As usual, his suggestions are paying off.

   I’m proud to add the online site: The Magic Lamp Video and Book Store to our growing list of friends who are now promoting the book. This is a computer website devoted to everything that is Hollywood-collectible. In addition to featuring Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, the site host G.E. Nordell sent me a personal email with some tips to maximize exposure for the paperback.

   Here is the link to the page that promotes my work:

http://www.genordell.com:80/stores/lantern/actors.htm

   The website is fun and informative, so I invite you to use the link above and visit The Magic Lantern!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   If you read Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, you know that 1939 was THE year in the Studio Era of Motion Pictures. It seems one movie from that year continues to grow in popularity from a list of fabulous films that should never be forgotten.

   The Wizard Of Oz wil be back on the big screen by popular demand this Tuesday at 6:30pm in theatres across the country. NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies are sponsoring this nationwide tribute, and the film has been digitally re-mastered.

   After the screening, Robert Osborne (film historian and a host at TCM) will present To Oz! The Making of a Classic. This documentary will tell how L. Frank Baum’s classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and rare musical outtakes.

   Tickets are still on sale. I am providing the website that will let you know where to go to see this timeless piece of cinema in your area. The list includes every theatre in the country showing the 1939 classic.

http://www.ncm.com/FathomContent/PDF/WOZ_Encore_Participating_Theatres.pdf

   Your family should enjoy The Wizard Of Oz just once in a theatre setting. My wife Laurie and I will be in Orange County (California) at the Century 20 Bella Terra to enjoy the evening’s festivities.

   If you would like to purchase Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History for $20 (tax included), be in front of the movie theatre at 7777 Edinger in Huntington Beach (off Beach Blvd.) at 6:00pm with a cardboard sign with my name on it (Manny Pacheco), and I will autograph a copy of the book for you. This is a special blog offer for my local readers.

   You won’t be sorry that you began your holiday season setting aside this special event.

Until next time                                  “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   As a proud member of the Moose fraternity, I am thrilled about my upcoming book signing at the Buena Park Moose Lodge this Saturday, November 14th (my birthday)! I will be conducting a short presentation and selling and signing copies of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History. This is the perfect time to remind you that $1 from the sale of every book goes to MooseHeart, the educational facility in Chicago that is the official charity of Moose International, Inc.

   The good news is that all members of the Moose fraternity throughout Southern California are invited to participate in helping raise money for the charity by simply purchasing my book.  And, even if you are not a member, you are more than welcome to attend.

   The festivities begin at 1pm, and the Buena Park Moose Lodge is conveniently located at 8651 Knott Ave. Thank you in advance for your support and friendship.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Thanks to info provided by my distributor, Laura Danforth, I can safely proclaim Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History is over 250 in projected sales. That reaches a fundamental goal of 10% sold in less than twelve weeks in print.

   Let me also offer my appreciation to the folks that visited Amazon.com for this landmark number. The personal achievement I share with all owners of  individual copies of the book. This makes me grateful in your readership.

  And, with the book now available in a variety of locations, I am confident we can move more quickly to selling out the first edition of the book. I am prepared to print a second edition, and if successful, a follow up Son of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History with a brand new batch of character actors from Hollywood’s Golden Era. Without giving away too much, I am in the process of writing more chapters…

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten Hollywood nowcan be bought at a variety of stores and websites. There are so many, I can’t keep up with all the places!

   Here are a few major locations that will compliment the established web sites and local stores I have posted in the Navigation Bar (to the left) including: The Paley Center For Media in Beverly Hills, Amazon.com, Borders.com, and Barnes & Noble.com. 

   This is the partial list that I have obtained with their websites link:

– Tower Records Books.com

http://www.tower.com/forgotten-hollywood-history-manny-pacheco-paperback/wapi/114104227

– eCampus.com

http://www.ecampus.com/bk_detail.asp?isbn=9781935359166&referrer=yah04

– shop.com

http://www.shop.com/Forgotten+Hollywood+Forgotten+History+-244815614-o+.xhtml?trk=1&buy=0

– Alibris.com

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?isbn=9781935359166&qsort=p&siteID=qBp_e0CZ0F0-puOij5FXACMmoB1mYKrR9A

(Alibris.com offers information on stores and websites located in Illinois, Florida, Oregon and The United Kingdom).

 Until next time>                              “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   In addition to being a first time author and 30-year radio announcer, I have spent the last ten years running the largest Karaoke contest in the US, Karaokefest (sponsored by Karaoke Scene Magazine). Each year we showcase Southern California talent, which is narrowed down to 25 male and 25 female singers. This years finalists performed at the LA County Fair, and based on contestants as judges, they selected the 2009 Male and Female Vocalists of the Year. The female selected was Juliette Rose and the male winner was Abraham McDonald. Each received an autographed copy of Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten Hollywood as one of their prizes, which totaled around $10,000 ($1,000 in cash).

Abraham McDonald

   Oprah Winfrey’s folks were on hand to witness the competition, and selected lucky individuals to perform in a separate contest on her show. McDonald was chosen as a semi-finalist last week as one of eight. From this group, a final three would have a chance to continue to win Oprah’s Karaoke Challenge… and Abraham made the cut! He will be on the Oprah Winfrey Show next Thursday to perform before David Foster and Diane Warren for a chance to win the overall Challenge.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   The twentieth anniversary of the The Berlin Wall coming down is practically upon us. In my book Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History, I remind readers about the impact Ronald Reagan had when he faced down the former Soviet Union at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The chapter on Ward Bond is loaded with insight because of my reference to the Communist red-scare hysteria of the 1950’s which led to the eventual political confrontation between the Eastern bloc and the Free World. The Berlin Wall built in 1961 came to symbolize the global rift of ideas and the separation of one people. Thankfully, the wall was torn down in early November of 1989. The History Channel just did a very thoughtful documentary on the personal human stories of the Wall

Berlin Wall / Imperial War Museum, London

   Now, there are worldwide celebrations to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the elimination of The Berlin Wall. U2 and Jay-Z just performed for the German people at the site. Southern California also recognizes this important victory for freedom. Portions of the wall can be viewed at local museums in Los Angeles and Orange County, including the Richard Nixon Library.

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    I saw the display at the Nixon Library on President’s Day. It is quite sobering to view portions of The Berlin Wall up close. This is a fragment of history that should never be forgotten.

   On a personal note, it was on this excursion I met Sheryn Hara from the Book Publishers Network. I feel blessed for this fortunate chance encounter (since they have ultimately helped me publish my book).

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P here…

President Barack Obama  (with tomorrow’s talent)

    According to Victoria Hutter in the media office at NEA, The Obama Administration has changed an alarming political trend by signing the Interior Appropriations Bill into law that would infuse much needed cash towards the National Endowment for the Arts & Humanities. In fact, the bill will increase federal arts to its highest monetary level in 16 years! This piece of legislation passed the House and Senate on Thursday, and it will help keep NEA outlets from closing their doors, while others will receive much needed renovation.

Smithsonian Institute

    This executive directive will have an impact on the Internet because of a digital program (beginning with the Smithsonian Institute). It makes most museum items available for viewership. This includes kids throughout the world.

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   Once it comes to pass, the creative community shall literally live to see another day… BRAVO to our elected officials!

Until next time>                               “never forget”